September 15, 2010

Run 4 Vocations: Archdiocesan team seeks prayer pledges

By Denver Catholic Register

Oct. 17 the Archdiocese of Denver’s Office of Vocations is sponsoring the inaugural Run 4 Vocations marathon relay campaign.  Teams of four are asked to sign up for the Denver Marathon as an “ING Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Relay Team” (more info here: www.denver.competitor.com/relay).  The relay teams split the 26.2 mile race into four pre-determined legs: 7.9 miles, 3.2 miles, 6.2 miles and 8.9 miles.  One such team will include Denver Auxiliary Bishop James Conley, Vocations Director Father Jim Crisman, and Denver seminarians and runners Jason Wunsch and Ryan O’Neill.

Running a marathon, like the Christian life, takes daily commitment, discipline and persistence, said Wunsch. 

“Pope John Paul II, himself a practiced athlete, believed that sports provided the Christian with an ideal training ground for faithfulness by building good habits or virtues,” Wunsch said.  (Search the Vatican’s website: www.vatican.va for the late pontiff’s extensive comments on sports). 

“Put simply,” added Wunsch, “faithfulness in smaller things like running can lead to faithfulness in larger things such as our daily walk with Christ.  My experience corroborates these words as running has provided an excellent building ground for my Catholic faith.” 

Marathon runners aren’t made overnight and neither are saints. Running a marathon, and living a Christian life, aren’t just hobbies that can be compartmentalized.  Marathon athletes can attest to the sacrifice it takes to maintain a regular training schedule, get enough sleep, and fill up with good nutrients. Likewise, serious Christians can vouch for the daily fidelity to prayer it takes to be still and hear the Lord. 

“(Running) taught me to listen to God ‘speaking’ in nature, to my body, and slowly, to the deeper stirrings in my soul,” Wunsch said.  

Rather than ask for financial pledges, the relay runners are asking for prayer pledges throughout the weeks leading up to the race. Specifically, supporters are asked to pledge prayers for an increase in vocations to holy orders and consecrated life within the Archdiocese of Denver.

“Prayer pledges are similar to offering a spiritual bouquet,” said Father Crisman.  “Different quantities of devotional acts such as eucharistic Holy Hours, rosaries, personal Mass intentions and Divine Mercy Chaplets are pledged per runner for the intention of an increase in vocations. 

“Each runner is encouraged to get 20 people to pray,” he added, “although many runners are going above and beyond seeking the prayers of 60-plus fellow Catholics.”

To pledge prayers, simply visit the Prayer Pledge form online at www.Priest4Christ.com. Under the “Run” tab, click “Prayer Pledges.”  Runners are also welcome to join.  Those interested in forming teams are urged to act as soon as possible to make time not only for training, but also for praying.

“There is a great need in the Church and world today for men and women who are willing to lay down their lives in service to others,” Father Crisman said.  “Each of them relies on your prayers.  Please pray for an increase in vocations to holy orders and consecrated life, and pray for those already living these heroic vocations.”

Run 4 Vocations
Team sign-up: www.denver.competitor.com/relay
Prayer pledges: www.Priest4Christ.com

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
God, our Father, we turn to you in this time of great need.  We trust in your loving kindness and ask you to hear the prayers we offer for your Church.

Bless the church with many men and women willing to generously offer their lives to you in holy orders and consecrated life.  You inspire and bring to fulfillment every good intention.  Bless and guide those who are discerning your call to holiness and service.  Give them courage, steadfast love and a spirit of charity as they seek to respond faithfully to you.

We offer this prayer for the Archdiocese of Denver and for the whole Church in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.